The legal industry is steeped in tradition and generations of conventional practices. While this connection to the past contributes to the aristocratic stature of the profession, it can also impede growth and the embracing of valuable new ideas. One modern trend that many lawyers have been slow to embrace is remote work. Instead, they cling to their physical office spaces as if it is the only appropriate place to practice law. One consequence of this mindset is the tendency to maintain large, expensive office spaces that may be entirely unnecessary. By letting go of this costly overhead and implementing remote work practices, you can lessen your expenses and potentially increase your practice profits.
Debunking the reasons why attorneys resist remote working
Many lawyers adamantly resist the transition to remote working environments. They do so for a variety of reasons, including:
- Some attorneys feel that an upscale law office reinforces their brand and helps to establish their credibility among clients. They think that large offices and ornate furnishings contribute to their credibility as a successful attorney, so they prefer to maintain these expensive physical locations instead of using remote work opportunities to downsize.However, this type of thinking is flawed and fails to consider a very important point. A reputation for quality legal service is based more in your abilities than appearance. A lawyer can provide excellent service to his or her clients whether working from an opulent office or a spare bedroom in their home. Appearances are only a small part of the equation when you are providing your clients with excellent representation.
- In some cases, the preference towards traditional law office practices stems from an uncertainty about working remotely and how it is actually done. They just do not understand how to perform office tasks outside of the office and it seem like an insurmountable obstacle. But with modern technology, you can create an office virtually anywhere in the world.From your backyard deck to the cafe across from the courthouse, with the right technology, all of your practice tasks can be handled with efficiency and significant cost-savings. Hardware, like laptops and portable printers, provides the tools for getting work done. With the proper security features and software, you can rest assured that your work is protected and accurately tracked for client billing purposes. TimeSolv legal billing software offers the features you need to conveniently track your work from anywhere, even without an immediate internet connection. With the proper tools and systems in place, the uncertainties of remote work can transform into confidence and increased profits.
Don’t let appearances and doubts keep your practice from reaching its full growth potential. Remote working may be the key to decreased overhead expenses and increased profits for your law practice.
About Erika Winston:
Erika Winston is a freelance writer with a passion for law. Through her business, The Legal Writing Studio, she helps legal professionals deliver effective written messages. Erika is a regular contributor to TimeSolv and a variety of other publications.